Town of Beekman   Distance to NYC: 71 miles Area: 30 square miles   The name Beekman became attached to the area in 1697 when Henry Beekman, a local Colonial land baron obtained a grant from the British crown. In 1737 Beekman formed its first local government. The original residents were said to be Wappingers Indians.   Beekman consists of the hamlets of Poughquag, Greenhaven, Clove Valley and Beekmanville.   Beekman has always been a rural area, it experienced its first "mining enterprises boom" in the mid 1800's through 1900's. The iron industry left a few remnants still visible, the Old Beekman Furnace can still be seen on Furnace Road.   Beekman is again experiencing a land boom. It is one of the fastest growing towns in the county.   Dalton Farms was once the summer residence of FDR's son and the new club house was the resident home.   Educational Facilities Beekman has 2 school districts, Arlington and Pawling, to cover this sprawling town.   Recreational Facilities The town of Beekman offers a diverse recreation program which includes summer basketball, little league, a youth soccer club, and the Beekman Beekers swim team. "The Wreck" skate park is a great skateboarding park. Come learn the sport of kayaking from American Canoe Association experts and enjoy a Hudson River Kayak trip. Great youth and Junior golf camps are taught by a PGA professional. Summer Day Camp is available offering 5 different programs to choose from. Take advantage of discount tickets which are available to many area theme parks and attractions. A wide variety of community events and classes are also scheduled.   Houses of Worship The first house of worship was a 1749 Lutheran Church on Beach Road which served the German settlers. The Quakers erected the Apoquague Preparative Meeting House in 1771. The longest standing churches are The Beekman Baptist Church and The United Methodist Church, both erected around 1840.